Latest news with #GrahamPotter
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
West Ham Transfer DealSheet: Summer window latest, key positions and available players
West Ham United have to sell before they can buy any new players ahead of the summer transfer window. A number of targets have been identified and head coach Graham Potter predicts an exciting window. But the club intends to sell several fringe players to enable Potter to continue building West Ham in his image. Advertisement Potter took over mid-season and oversaw five wins in 18 league games, losing eight and drawing five. At his unveiling in January, the head coach outlined how he intends to improve the side, why the club has a high ceiling and the need for everyone to be aligned. Five months on, and Potter will finally get the opportunity to imprint his ideas in the transfer market. The Athletic can reveal who the key decision makers will be this summer, who could potentially depart and more. Mainly majority shareholder David Sullivan, Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay. 'Kyle has been busy, and we've all been working as a club,' Potter told West Ham's website. 'We need to plan, we need to reflect, we need to make the right decisions, in terms of what we want to do going forward, and it's going to be an exciting, interesting summer. I think, in an ideal world, you want to do things early (in the transfer market), but sometimes it's not like that. You have to be patient. If we can do anything, we will. But, at the same time, I think making the right decision, aligned together, is the focus for us.' The recruitment team primarily includes sporting director Mark Noble, European scout Georges Santos, first team scout Adam Clarke and first-team recruitment analyst Dylan Curnell. Potter plans to bolster the size of his recruitment team further. The club recently posted a job advert for a recruitment support analyst. The role entails supporting the first team recruitment department with video analysis, data insights, and artificial intelligence and machine learning integration in scouting operations. Following Evan Ferguson's unconvincing loan spell from Brighton, West Ham remain in the market for a forward. The 20-year-old was not fully fit when he joined in January and failed to score in eight league appearances. He was not in the matchday squad for the last game of the season against Ipswich Town. Michail Antonio, whose deal expires at the end of June, is unlikely to be offered a contract extension, while Niclas Fullkrug has an uncertain future. Potter is not one to disclose which position he wants to strengthen, but he has stated repeatedly that any potential arrival has to be the right fit. 'As a team, we have to be better, for sure,' said Potter following the victory over Ipswich Town. 'I don't like relying on individuals to dig you out of trouble. I think we as a team need to defend and attack better. We've made steps in some areas but, attacking-wise, we can do better. 'Our job now is to improve the squad to make sure the culture and environment that represents this amazing club is there properly and then we can achieve some good things, I think.' The club have identified Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika as one of their top transfer targets. Potter wants to bolster his midfield options, which consist of James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta, Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez and Andy Irving. Carlos Soler was another alternative, but his loan from Paris Saint-Germain will not be converted into a permanent deal. Advertisement West Ham are one of many Premier League teams that want to sign Onyedika this summer. The 24-year-old's deal expires in the summer of 2027, which does not feature an option to extend. Attackers James McAtee of Manchester City and Anderlecht's Mario Stroeykens remain on West Ham's radar. The club have cooled their interest in Brighton & Hove Albion defender Adam Webster, while their chances of signing Lille duo Jonathan David and Angel Gomes, both of whom are in the final month of their deals, remain slim. The club are still monitoring Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, following Lukasz Fabianski's release. West Ham are adamant captain Jarrod Bowen is not for sale. The England international ended the campaign with 14 goals and 10 assists across 36 appearances in all competitions. Bowen has five years remaining on a seven-year deal he signed in October 2023. West Ham are open to offers for a string of players, including Maxwel Cornet, Emerson Palmieri, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez. Mohammed Kudus, meanwhile, could attract interest this summer. The Ghana international scored in the 3-1 victory over relegated side Ipswich Town. The 24-year-old attacker has a buyout clause which is only active for the first 10 days of July and is valued at £80million ($108.3m) for European clubs, £85m for Premier League sides and £120m for Saudi teams. West Ham have not received any formal offers for the attacker. Midfielder Irving could also depart this summer due to a lack of game time. The 25-year-old had interest from European clubs in January but wanted to see out the season. In June 2024, defender Nayef Aguerd joined CanteraSport agency, which also represents Kurt Zouma. The Morocco international has spent this season on loan at Spanish side Real Sociedad. Potter was reluctant to admit whether Aguerd features in his long-term plans ahead of the defeat to Brighton on April 26. Aguerd's contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027. Youngsters Lewis Orford and Kaelan Casey are set for loan spells in the summer. Casey had interest from EFL clubs in last August but stayed after West Ham opted against signing then-free agent John Egan, who later joined Burnley and then moved to Hull City in January. Potter handed Orford his first-team debut in January against Crystal Palace. The 19-year-old, a member of the 2023 FA Youth Cup-winning side, has mainly played for Steve Potts' Under-21s. West Ham are open to loaning out Luis Guilherme so he can gain first-team experience. Last summer's £25m signing from Brazilian side Palmeiras only made 12 league appearances, totalling 139 minutes. Although West Ham are not facing a profit and sustainability (PSR) issue, internally, they have conceded they have to sell before they can buy this summer. Having spent more than £120m last summer, club sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said they were right up against the wages/turnover cap. The departures of Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal, Danny Ings and Fabianski will free up salary space.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Do West Ham struggle to attract 'big name' players? Transfer window Q&A
BBC Sport's football reporters have been taking questions all day, including chief football news reporter Simon in Leeds asked: Given the size of our fan base and stadium, being a London club, and having recently won a European trophy, why do West Ham struggle to attract and afford bigger-name players? Is our board to blame for the way it runs things?Simon answered: Hiya Andy. I am not sure what you mean by 'big names'. West Ham spent a lot of money on Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta etc. What they can't do is spend lots of money on players who are going to sit on the bench (they have spent a lot on players who ended up sitting on the bench but that is different).West Ham did win a European trophy and under David Moyes qualified for Europe for three seasons in a row. But that was something they had never done before in their entire history - and in two of their last three seasons, they have finished 14th, which is around where they have tended to finish.I have always felt there was potential for growth at West Ham - but competition in the Premier League is harder than its ever been. Newcastle and Aston Villa are similar sized clubs but have qualified for the Champions League under relatively new and hugely ambitious owners. West Ham have lost the momentum they had under Moyes. They can get it back under Graham Potter but it takes more of the Q&A with our reporters
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Will West Ham board pick Potter's transfers? Transfer window Q&A
BBC Sport chief football reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on the summer transfer window.A tired West Ham fan asked: What is your view on the current transfer set up at West Ham? Is Potter in charge or is it the same mess where the board impose their players onto the manager and then fail to get anyone the manager actually wants? P.s. I'm aware we had Steidten in place before but that still didn't seem to stop the above scenario from happening!Simon answered: Nice easy one to start with... Firstly, Graham Potter has brought Kyle Macaulay in as his head of recruitment. The pair have worked with each other for over a decade, so it seems like a perfectly sensible appointment.I do understand the criticism of the ownership being involved in recruitment but David Sullivan does run the club, so he is entitled to have an input. There has been a couple of occasions when he tried to step back, when Manuel Pellegrini came in, and had Mario Husillos working with him, and then with Tim Steidten. Neither problem with Steidten was that his philosophy differed hugely from that of David Moyes, so the partnership was ineffective. Then, when Moyes left, Steidten made a succession of poor decisions, starting with Julen Lopetegui as Moyes' I think West Ham are in a better position now than they have been for a long time. The problem at the moment is the money from selling Declan Rice has gone so a decision has to be made around the future of Mohammed the Q&A and the rest of the day's football news here
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
West Ham's 2024-25 player of the season: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – defending so good fans stand and applaud
Aaron Wan-Bissaka's relatives were elated when they found out he would be joining West Ham United because they knew it would end his struggles with isolation. The right-back moved to Manchester United for £50million ($67.4m at the current rate) in 2019 from boyhood club Crystal Palace. But during his five-year spell at Old Trafford, the defender felt secluded being away from family back in London. Wan-Bissaka would often travel back to the capital after training to visit loved ones, then return to the north after. It became part of his routine but was not sustainable in the long run. It was a mitigating factor behind his lack of consistency at United. Advertisement The now 27-year-old needed a fresh start. Having ruminated on his future with family, a deal that would bring him back to London permanently seemed the best option. In August, after Ben Johnson's free-agent departure to Ipswich Town created a vacancy, West Ham signed Wan-Bissaka for £15million. It has proved to be a shrewd piece of business, with the defender reviving his career under first Julen Lopetegui, who was jettisoned in January, and more recently Graham Potter. Wan-Bissaka is feeling settled back in his hometown and his family regularly go to watch him play at the London Stadium. Before West Ham's final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, Wan-Bissaka was named the club's player of the year. But as early as December, he was a shoo-in for the award. During the 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion just before Christmas, he made a courageous goal-saving clearance, earning his new team a point with an incredible header to deny Tariq Lamptey. He momentarily had a sore head afterwards but some supporters stood to applaud his defending. Wan-Bissaka is known for using his long legs in sliding tackles, which earned him the nickname 'Spider'. But this season, he has markedly improved the offensive side of his game, ending with five assists and two goals across 36 league appearances — his best attacking output since two goals and four assists in the 2020-21 season. 'He's been really impressive,' Potter said following West Ham's 2-1 win at Old Trafford this month. 'As I've said before, I can't say this categorically because I don't know Aaron's career, but I can't imagine he's played as well (before) as he has for us at this point in his career. He looks like he's enjoying his football. He gives a lot to the team, (I'm) really pleased with what he's giving to the team offensively and defensively. As I said, it looks like he's enjoying his football.' Advertisement His offensive efficiency no longer a source of frustration, Wan-Bissaka's form kept Vladimir Coufal, who will leave West Ham when his contract expires in June, out of the starting line-up. Last summer's signing has also shown versatility by playing on both flanks. Wan-Bissaka assisted captain Jarrod Bowen for his 12th Premier League goal in the 3-1 victory over relegated Ipswich in the season finale. That duo formed a great partnership on West Ham's right side, with Wan-Bissaka leading the squad in assists for Bowen goals (four). 'He's been brilliant ever since he walked through the door,' Bowen said after the 1-1 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in early May. 'He's been in the Premier League for a few years now and shown his quality and done it week in week out here. 'Another assist for him (Bowen's equaliser in that match). We knew that was a part of the game we could exploit — 'Az' (short for Aaron) bombing forward and then holding the line and trying to play offside, making those runs to get inside. And it worked perfectly to get the goal. But, yeah, 'Az' has been consistently good every single week. Every day in training. It's a pleasure to play with him and have him in our ranks.' Wan-Bissaka was voted man of the match in that game against Spurs. His season of redemption led to calls for a first senior England call-up. English-born of Congolese descent, he played for England at age-group levels and also once for DR Congo Under-20s. He was named in a squad by England's then manager Gareth Southgate in 2019, shortly after his move to Manchester United, but had to leave the get-together because of a back injury and has never made a senior international appearance. England's new manager Thomas Tuchel opted against including Wan-Bissaka in his first squad in March, and this month he received his first senior DR Congo call-up for friendlies against Mali on June 5 and Madagascar three days later. These are in preparation for their continuing World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn and the Africa Cup of Nations finals in December and January. Advertisement It is a testament to Wan-Bissaka's consistency that he has finally earned international recognition. Unassuming off the field and not fond of media duties, he isn't a vocal player in the dressing room either, but his performances on the field make up for that. His on-field bond with Bowen offers encouragement for West Ham's attack next season. The duo finished joint-third in the 2024-25 Premier League for assists between team-mates (four). If there were a category for the Premier League's most improved player, Wan-Bissaka would be a worthy recipient. He may have felt isolated living in Manchester, but he has now found an extended family in east London.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Celtic's hopes of landing top transfer target Kvistgaarden fade as West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt enter race for free-scoring Danish forward
Celtic will face stiff competition from West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt to sign top transfer target Mathias Kvistgaarden this summer. The Parkhead club are long-term admirers of the in-demand Brondby striker, who fired 23 goals in all competitions this season for the Danish club. Celtic enquired about Kvistgaarden's availability back in January and are continuing to weigh up a summer move for the 23-year-old front man. Having recently won his first call-up to the senior Danish national team, it is thought that Kvistgaarden could command a fee in excess of £12million. Celtic would have no issue breaking their transfer record in order to sign him, although fitting him into their existing wage structure may be more of a challenge. But, with Frankfurt also long-term admirers of Kvistgaarden, West Ham have now entered the race to sign one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe. Hammers boss Graham Potter wants to revamp his forward line after a disappointing Premier League campaign saw the club finish 14th in the table. It is understood that the Londoners have been tracking Kvistgaarden since the turn of the year and are could now be set to firm up their interest with a bid over the coming weeks. Kvistgaarden appeared to say farewell to the Brondby fans following the conclusion of their season last weekend. Speaking after the match, Brondby director of football Benjamin Schmedes confirmed that no bids have yet been received but that he understands why there is such demand for the player. 'We will look at it when there is something on the table and we can talk about it,' said Schmedes. 'We don't have that right now, so we are not saying goodbye to him yet. 'We will sit down and look at the season, and then we will see what the transfer window brings. That applies to Mathias and all the other players. 'He is an interesting player for the five major leagues. It is not without reason that he was named Player of the Year. 'There are many things that bigger clubs in the five major leagues could be interested in. I will answer the phone when they call, and then we will see.' Meanwhile, goalkeeper Scott Bain has left Celtic after seven years at the club. The former Dundee player made his debut in a 3-2 victory at Ibrox in March 2018 and made 78 appearances in all. The 33-year-old departs with 14 major winners' medals and told the club's official website: 'I am really sad, of course, to be leaving the club but I am so thankful, too, for everything the club has given me. 'I have enjoyed my time at Celtic massively and it has been a huge honour to be part of the biggest and best club in the country.' Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers added: 'Scott has given everything to Celtic and I would like to thank him sincerely for his time at the club. 'He has been a valued member of the squad and a great team-mate, really liked and respected by us all. Everyone at the club wishes Scott and his family all the very best for the future.' Celtic have already moved to replace Bain by lining up former youth keeper Ross Doohan as their third choice next season, behind Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo. Doohan, 27, was one of 12 Aberdeen players whose exits from Pittodrie on expiry of contract was confirmed yesterday. Joining Doohan in departing the Dons are defender Jack MacKenzie, who has been linked with a number of English clubs, and midfielder Jamie McGrath, who has already signed a pre-contract with Hibernian. Kevin Nisbet, Oday Dabbagh, Jeppe Okkels and Alfie Dorrington have also departed after their loan spells finished, although whether Jimmy Thelin makes another move for any of them remains to be seen.
